Soils of Slovenia

The diverse physical geographical characteristics of Slovenia result in diverse soil types. Due to widespread karst landscapes, the basic division of soils is carbonate and non-carbonate. However, the pedogeographical classification of Slovenian soils is based on topography and has three groups of soil types: soils of plains and valleys, soils of hills and mountains, and soils of karst plains and plateaus. The most common soil types are Chromic Cambisol and Rendzina alternation (33.6%), followed by Dystric Cambisol (24.2%) and Eutric Cambisol (13.3%). Most Slovenian soils formed during the Quaternary and are relatively rich in humus. Soil sealing, soil contamination, and soil erosion are the main forms of soil degradation in Slovenia.